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Life has destroyed my hips; surgery August 26, 2013.

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I'm sorry bsilvers I already removed it before i read this because I think you are right. They are pretty meaningless without further information.
 
No I have not seen any other orthopedic doctors. He is the first. My primary care doctor has been treating this for over five years with pain medication because that's how long I've been procrastinating. I finally got state health care that's going to allow me to get this done. So I had to switch primary care doctors for the insurance and Dr Heacox was who they sent me to. I guess I was like a deer caught in the headlights when I was told he could help me.

Now this correspondence is giving me second thoughts. I'm so set on getting this relief that I can't imagine now postponing this any longer. Even 3 weeks seems like a lifetime. Without medication I literally cant walk. I can't imagine living with this another month. Even days seem like months. I'm so depressed and I'm no wuss. I was an Airborne Ranger. Breath hold diver to 120 feet shooting fish as big as me with sharks around. But this is honestly almost to much to bare. Almost.
 
Roofmaster, no reason to postpone it but you have 3 weeks still, get some more opinions. That may set your mind at ease on your choice of surgeon to perform the operation. I was barely walking 1-2 weeks out before my surgery , it was pathetic but the advancement in this procedure and the actual hip replacement is amazing so you have a very bright future. Going with the first guy you go to regardless and him not going to do both at the same time to me is a red flag.
 
Roofmaster I understand your dilemma. Your surgery is scheduled for 23 days from now and to start researching other doctors who might not be able to book you for a few months seems almost unthinkable, yet you don't know anything at all about your doctor's reputation and need the peace of mind that you are in good hands.
Poppet and Josephine have much more experience and a much better perspective than I. I have just tagged them and I am sure they will respond.
 
Roofmaster, boy do I understand your pain. I had two bad knees and a hip that keep me bend over in pain for some time. I had one done at a time, my doctor decided that he didn't want to do two at a time. I noticed that you mention that you were in the Army. Have you checked their hospitals to see if it could be done there? I was thinking of using the Army for second opion. Just thinking out load. I know if I hadn't come here I don't know where I would be. I didn't come here until after the second and I was in such a mess. My last surgrey was so great with all the surport I got here. Since you have a ruff job I would think that you are in good shape and that you are very strong person in nature. The surport here is great and the best part is you can come here any time and someone will be here. We will help you get thru this. Just hang on and everything will be ok. Please be careful. Tashia
 
Roofmaster, I have been thinking and I think you could go crazy running around and see if you could find another one. You have been seeing this guy and if you feel alright with him, go for it. The reason I am saying this is I did the same thing you did. I went to one doctor and felt safe and comforale and so I went for it. It turned out to be one of the best doctor within that system. People for all the states come to have him do the surgrey. I also found out later that he does other types of replacements. And he is good. I have recovered and didn't have any problems to speak off. I was just in a mess and I needed to get out of it. This guy got me out. The only problem was I waited way to long and really messed up my body trying to keep going. After the surgrey you will be sore and stuff but the good news is that you aren't going to work for a while so you will finally be able to get the pain under control. Also the horrible pain that you now have will be gone. I couldn't believe that the all the pain disappered over night with my last replacement. Remember I had to have three done. You will make it! Take a deep breath and tell yourself you can do this. Yes you are in pain but after the replacements it will be gone. The pain that you will have will be able to be controled by the pain pills. I found that when I was in so much pain I had problems thinking and trouble looking for the furture. Pain was my problem and stayed to be my problem until I got the new replacements. You are going to make it! Whenever you need some surport please come here. Take care and do be careful. Tashia
 
Hi Roofmaster, I checked out your OS and came up with this info...

Stephen A Heacox, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Heacox received his M.D. from Temple University in Philadelphia and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Temple University and Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children. He is the past president of both the Medical Staff and the Department of Surgery at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Dr. Heacox has over 24 years of experience in general orthopedic surgery at Tobey Hospital and is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Heacox is a team physician for Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

And general info from the practice....

Wareham Orhopedic surgeons routinely perform arthroscopy of the knee, shoulder, ankle, and elbow to treat cartilage injuries, ligament tears, loose bodies, and rotator cuff repairs. Our doctors are also using the latest “small incision” techniques to perform partial or complete knee replacement, hip replacement, and shoulder replacement. In addition, fracture care of all patients and all body parts is a daily routine of our practice. Wareham Orthopedic Associates can meet all of your orthopedic needs from simple bumps and bruises to complex reconstructive surgery. Wareham Orthopedic Associates represents over 60 years of combined experience by three highly trained, board certified orthopedic physicians. We offer the latest diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical techniques to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

If you feel comfortable with your surgeon and you are scheduled for surgery 26 Aug.. it appears from this info that you are in good hands. We don't always have to get first, second, third opinions if you, yourself felt confident with your discussion with this surgeon... :) and given your description of your professional life... This part of your surgeons bio would be enough for me... "Dr. Heacox is a team physician for Massachusetts Maritime Academy." :)
 
I totally agree with Poppet! Sounds like you have a good surgeon, and traipsing all over the place for other opinions probably wouldn't serve any purpose, except cause you more pain from traipsing around

Peace and love.
 
Billy, you have the heebie-jeebies. Of course you do! You've putting your future in the hands of someone you've only met once or twice, it's a totally new experience for you, and you have doubts and fears. Everyone, I think, feels that way at some point while they're waiting for surgery.

Poppet has given you absolutely great advice. Whenever you start to doubt, go back and read her post. I wouldn't hesitate to go to your surgeon.

I had my doubts, too. I was scheduled for anterior approach THR, and my surgeon, although he had been doing THRs for about 10 years, had only done about 50 of this approach. That's not very many. About 2 weeks before surgery, I was feeling the heebie-jeebies and I called and asked for one more quick appointment before my surgery date. After seeing him and discussing all this, my fears were allayed. And it all turned out great---you can read my very long thread sometime if you have insomnia.

So I would suggest seeing him again, if you can, before your operative date. If that isn't possible, remember that you felt good about him when you saw him, and know that Poppet wouldn't steer you wrong.
 
I agree with what being said. See what the doctor does as far as replacement and I would go what he thinks is best and most done. Take care and being nervous is so normal. Tashia
 
Morning everyone. What a horrible night tossing around. Ugh I feel like I'm dying.

On a lighter note thanks to you peeps for all your input.This forum is really awesome. It gives me something to look forward to. I can't wait to turn on my phone and log in. Ok after reading all your advice I've decided that I'm going to make another appointment with Dr Heacox to ask questions I forgot to ask the first time. Like how many of these have you done and how many a year and when was the last etc. I'm probably over thinking this but I just don't want to jump out of the pot into the fire. I need this to work it's the only option. I can't even focus on little things like playing the guitar.

I also do tattoos on the side and that's not labor intensive at all but I can't even focus on that. By the way when I do get the surgeries done, I'm going to try and parley my skills as a tattoo artist. Roofing for 30+ years is mostly responsible for my condition. I think I want to work closer to the ground for the rest of my life even if I take a substantial cut in pay. Just cant imagine destroying another set of hips and ruining a second chance.

Thanks you guys for taking the time to read and respond it really does help.
 
I like your last post. I am sure another visit with the OS will help you feel more comfortable with him. I only saw one OS when I was ready for the THR and he turned out to be wonderful! I think going with your gut is a good way to go..it uses the info you know consciously along with the subconscious.

And getting off the roof sounds good. You will, however, have to change your moniker to Inkmaster, though.
 
Roofmaster said:
Ok after reading all your advice I've decided that I'm going to make another appointment with Dr Heacox to ask questions I forgot to ask the first time.
Click to expand...
That's the ticket! You might want to have a look at this article - Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis.

You did read the five articles I left you links to in my previous post #27? Did you? :)
 
Roofmaster - IF you decide to seek a different OS or just another opinion (and I'm with others who wonder why this OS won't do a BTHR for you) I'd suggest the following:

1- start with your insurance and ask for the names of OSs who accept this insurance - get several names in your area and ask if they know which of these do bilateral procedures (the person you speak to is probably a clerk or information person and may not know this)

2- call each of the names you're given and ask to speak to the doctor's nurse - don't try to ask questions of the receptionist - they probably won't know or are not allowed to discuss clinical details

3- ask nurse how many THRs the doctor does per year and ask if doctor will do BTHR when clinically indicated and ask approximately how long it takes to get from first visit to operating room - really good OSs are usually booked up and have very busy schedules so wait times can be lengthy. Also ask if they keep a cancellation wait list that you could be put on and notified if any cancellations come up - most OSs don't like last minute "holes" in their operating schedules

4- if you find an OS who does BTHRs on a regular basis get an appointment as soon as possible.

When you see your current OS also ask about BTHR and why this doctor does not want to do them - he may have clinical reasons why - listen carefully and ask questions and let him know that you've researched this and know of a number of people who've had BTHRs with great success. Let this doctor know you are uncomfortable with having to go through 2 separate surgeries and 2 separate hospitalizations - and that you'd really like your recuperation to be as efficient and compact as possible.
 
Yes I read all the links you sent Josephine. I also spent a lot of time in the library.

I went to pre-op testing today and asked a lot of questions and so happened the nurse that was instructing me had her knee done by Dr.Heacox and loves him. I know maybe slightly biased but she says he is the best in this area and has been doing hip and knees at this hospital since she's been here. He does 3 or 4 procedures every couple of weeks and uses spinal.

I think my guts telling me I'm good to go. 3 weeks to go I cant wait. Another technicality is I have to move out of my apartment by September 1st as my landlord is selling the house. What timing.
 
Did you get any of your questions answered about doing a Bilateral procedure?
 
My OS said he didn't like doing both hips at once. Something about all of the movement needed to be done during the procedure, he didn't like to do that to the first new hip right afterwards to do the second. He said he would do it six weeks after...or something like that. My feeling is, if the OS doesn't like to do it, you certainly don't want to " force" him to. Besides...3½ weeks into my RTHR my left hip feels fine now! I know it might be different for you, Roofmaster.
 
Yeah bsilvers I asked about the bilateral procedure and was told the same as marcopollo and increase of infection, bleeding, bruising. Don't know what to think of that but it sounds feasible.

As long as I get them both done and I recover I will be a very happy man. I'm so miserable and feel like death. I try really hard to put on a happy face though and under the circumstances I think I'm doing fine.

How do you guys do it? Did you always look like you were in excruciating pain?

Ugh back to work tomorrow.
 
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